TEHRAN – Archaeologists have for the first time used ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology to discover possible historical artifacts at the 12th-century Jameh Mosque of Sabeh.
The innovative approach marks a major milestone in archaeological research in Iran’s Markazi province, the province’s tourism chief said on Saturday.
Mahmoud Moradi Naraki said the GPR survey at Jamek Mosque in Sabeh was the first time this advanced technology was used in the province. The GPR survey, carried out in collaboration with a knowledge-based company, aimed to investigate the mosque’s historical strata and underground features.
The results of the GPR survey at Jamek Mosque in Savet were presented at a meeting of the Technical Council within the Department of Cultural Heritage, contributing to ongoing research and providing a comprehensive understanding of the historical context of the site.
Moradi Naraki emphasized the importance of this geophysical method, highlighting its non-destructive nature and ability to provide detailed subsurface images. “This collaboration gives us a unique opportunity to uncover and understand our historical landscape with cutting-edge technology,” he said. “We look forward to new discoveries that will provide valuable insights into the cultural heritage of the region.”
The Seljuk-era mosque continues to attract believers, tourists and lovers of history and Islamic architecture to this day, with its complex architectural ensemble including courtyards, porches, minarets, domes and two ancient altars decorated with Kufic calligraphy.
Named after the central Iranian city of Saveh, the term “Jameh Mosque” or “Masjed-e-Jameh”, or in Iranian, “Friday Mosque”, refers to a grand communal mosque designated especially for the obligatory Friday prayers, distinctly recognized in the country and revered as an important cultural and spiritual landmark.
GPR is a non-invasive geophysical technique that uses radar pulses to create images of the subsurface. The technique is particularly valued in archaeology, as it can monitor and display subsurface features in 3D without damaging archaeological remains. GPR surveys involve emitting electromagnetic waves in the MHz range, capturing their reflections, and sending the signal back to a receiver to create radiogram profiles. These profiles are then analyzed using specialized software.
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